1.Transport of equipment containing flammable refrigerants
See transport regulations.
2.Marking of equipment using signs
See local regulations.
3.Disposal of equipment using flammable refrigerants
See national regulations.
4.Storage of equipment/appliances
The storage of equipment should be in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
5.Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
Storage package protection should be constructed such that mechanical damage
to the equipment inside the package will not cause a leak of the refrigerant charge.
The maximum number of pieces of equipment permitted to be stored together will
be determined by local regulations.
6.Information on servicing
1)Checks to the area
Prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable refrigerants, safety
checks are necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is minimised. For repair to
the refrigerating system, the following precautions shall be complied with prior to
conducting work on the system.
2)Work procedure
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to minimise the risk of
a flammable gas or vapour being present while the work is being performed.
3)General work area
All maintenance staff and others working in the local area shall be instructed on the
nature of work being carried out. Work in confined spaces shall be avoided. The
area around the workspace shall be sectioned off. Ensure that the conditions within
the area have been made safe by control of flammable material.
4)Checking for presence of refrigerant
The area shall be checked with an appropriate refrigerating detector prior to and
during work, to ensure the technician is aware of potentially flammable atmospheres.
Ensure that the leak detection equipment being used is suitable for use with
flammable refrigerants, i.e. non-sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
5)Presence of fire extinguisher
If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment or any
associated parts, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to
hand. Have a dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
6)No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigerating system which involves
exposing any pipe work that contains or has contained flammable refrigerant shall
use any sources of ignition in such a manner that it may lead to the risk of fire or
explosion. All possible ignition sources, including cigarette smoking, should be kept
sufficiently far away from the site of installation, repairing, removing and disposal,
during which flammable refrigerant can possibly be released to the surrounding
space. Prior to work taking place, the area around the equipment is to be surveyed
to make sure that there are no flammable hazards or ignition risks. No Smoking
signs shall be displayed.
7)ventilated area
Ensure that the area is in the open or that it is adequately ventilated before
breaking into the system or conducting any hot work. A degree of ventilation shall
continue during the period that the work is carried out. The ventilation should safely
disperse any released refrigerant and preferably expel it externally into the
atmosphere.
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